The atmosphere has been tense in both cities ever since the new batch of refugees were shot down out of the sky. Natives and refugees alike will note that things are steadily growing worse and worse... until suddenly, the tension snaps. Chaos erupts on one seemingly ordinary night and will continue until early March, when it all comes to a head. The question is, as always... what will you do?
You may submit an AC-eligible thread set in either Olympia or Wyver for 1 OLYMPIA REP POINT OR 1 WYVER REP POINT respectively, HERE or HERE, so long as the thread involves your character complying with their faction of choice's goals and responsibilities.
As a note, faction compliance in this case refers to actions that benefit the faction in the long term. Meaning that while citizens might be revolting against one another temporarily, assisting their fellow people and business will be considered as faction compliance for the purposes of submitting REP. (For example, raiding the palace in Olympia would earn 1 Wyver REP, whereas helping put out the fires in the palace would earn 1 Olympia REP.)
You may write threads and prompts in both cities, but ICly, they should take place on different days.
Please also note that travel between factions is heavily scrutinized during the events of this log. If your character travels between cities, please report it here. EMBERS IN OUR BLOODLINES
CHAOS ERUPTS. The city hasn't been exactly peaceful for some time — discontented grumbles have been directed at anyone who exhibits even the slightest amount of pro-Wyver (anti-Olympian) sentiment — but now, the tensions have not simply worsened: they've outright snapped.
It wouldn't be unusual to start your day to the sound of breaking glass. Perhaps it's a neighbor's window, or if you're truly unlucky, it's your own. Regardless, it's clear that there are a number of people who decide that violence is the answer. Well-armed shops such as The Sharper are left alone, but The Silk Wyrms, The Wyvernest, and other smaller businesses aren't so lucky. Visit the tailor, and you'll find that someone has broken in and slashed many of the in-progress custom orders; at the dragon cafe, someone has set many of the miniature dragons loose in a bid to purge the city of anything tainted by Wyver's influence. Many shopkeeps are fearful that the culprits might return. They're offering good silver for anyone who will retrieve stolen goods, round up the missing dragons, or find proof of who the culprits were — and for protection in case the culprits return. Linger, and you'll be in a position to potentially stop a repeat attack when the rioters come back with torches and bricks.
Members of the Royal Guard have their hands full with the fights breaking out to attend to every instance of violence against the businesses. Shouting in the squares escalates into bloody brawls — and if you spend any time outside, you'll soon see why. There's a strange mist in the most populated parts of the city, which you may recognize as having similar effects to the waters of Flona Cove that lower one's inhibitions. It spurs those who would usually agree to disagree into shouting matches, and influences people who would normally shout into throwing punches. Members of the Guard, usually a mediating force, are joining the fray themselves.
Even you aren't immune to the mist's effects. Whether you're protecting your home or place of employment, chasing down vandals, rounding up escaped dragons from the dragon cafes, or even just observing what's going on with someone else, you're likely doing it much more aggressively than you typically would... but then, this level of aggression seems to be becoming Olympia's new normal.
SINNERS TO PLAY AS SAINTS. The theaters are miraculously untouched, but The Life and Death of Nithor the Exalted is no longer being put on. Instead, passers-by are being pulled onstage to play out other scenes from Olympia's glorious history. Those who don't want to play along don't have much of a choice; those orchestrating the scenes have people out in the crowds to bring people up by force if necessary.
The base scenario is simple enough: the noble Olympian puts the pathetic Wyvern in their place. Perhaps it's a fight scene: the Olympian comes out on top, of course, and the crowd roars for blood. Wyver weapons are only props, however, but the Olympian weapons? They're very, very real. Or perhaps it's a callback to when the Olympian people marked captured Wyverns with brands to assert their dominance — there is real fire, and real brands, on stage.
If you pass as Olympian, you may be pressed to perform. If you don't want to really hurt someone, you'd best learn how to fake it — refuse to play your part, and the crowd will very quickly turn against you. If you're too obviously not Olympian, or if they recognize you as someone who went off-script last time (and they have very good memory), you'll likely be pressed into the role of an unfortunate Wyvern. Hopefully your co-star is gentle...
Break a leg. Literally, as the case may be.
CRITICAL CONDITION. With all the chaos, it's only a matter of time before people start to seek medical attention. However, along the way to The Sanctuary, they'll be faced with an almost insurmountable barricade. It isn't immediately obvious who put it up, but it's clear that nobody will be getting through it without significant effort.
Approach, and a voice will ring out warning you to keep back. It's one of the employees at the clinic; she has a crossbow in her shaking hands, and if pressed, she'll admit that they put up the barricade to keep out rioters. She understands that there are people who need their help, but the decision was made to keep themselves and their supplies safe so that when the dust settles, they can set out en masse and help more people than they could if they were raided.
If you're accompanied by someone with grievous injuries, or if you're terribly injured yourself, you may be able to convince her to let you in for a quick patch-up, but they're not giving any medicines out. If you need more supplies, you'll have to figure out another way of getting it — either by overpowering the woman on watch and raiding the clinic yourself, or distracting her so that other members of your group can sneak in and take what they need.
Making matters worse is the gigantic vulture-like creature, much larger than the birds in Murkwell Hollow... and much meaner. This beast doesn't wait for eye contact before it attacks: it swoops down out of the sky when people are gathered at the barricade, snatching up anyone it can grab in its talons, fixing on whoever's closest. However, if someone who killed a vulture is present, it pursues them with relentless determination. If not dealt with, it will attempt to eat the dead and the injured without discrimination. It can be driven off with high difficulty using weapons, magical abilities (except fire, which doesn't affect it), and the terrain to your advantage. It will retreat before it can be killed, presumably so that it can regroup and harry the next batch of people to get close to the barricade.
As it retreats it will drop feathers that can be sold to the Institute for study for 100 silver; one feather per character, please. Sales can be reported here.
PALACE BURNS. Chaos reigns for the better part of a week, and toward the end, it escalates past the point of rioting in the streets — the violence reaches Empress Simwe's palace. In the gardens where Olympians and refugees alike had lit lanterns in unity and remembrance mere weeks before, one careless (or perhaps not so careless) flame catches, spreading to the rest of the grounds and to one of the palace walls. The members of the Royal Guard, already stretched thin, are too preoccupied with trying to contain the blaze to stop anyone from pouring in through the breach.
It's an opportunity that looters and dissidents do not pass up.
Follow them in, and you'll find the elegant surroundings being torn apart. Many of the rioters are those who have it out for Simwe and are hunting for her. As she's nowhere to be found, they settle for the next best thing: setting torch to her portraits. Portraits of the late emperor, on the other hand, are left untouched. The vandals are incredibly vocal in their displeasure with Simwe's policies, and almost fanatical in their opinion that life in Olympia would be much better if Simwe had perished in her husband's place. They turn to violence when the frightened maids and other servants don't have the answers they want as they leave a trail of fire in their wake. Will you use them as a smokescreen for your own venture, or will you intervene?
Further inside, the sticky-fingered will find furnishings, clothing, jewelry — anything that isn't bolted down is fair game. In the library, the gilded titles of priceless books glitter on the shelves; in the wine cellar, Simwe's personal collection of extremely fine vintages waits to be sampled; a mirrored room furnished entirely with pillows is draped in lacy underthings; fragrant salts and bottles of perfume sit in a steam-filled bathing room; in the treasury, looters are hard at work squirrelling away silver and carrying off golden baubles. Nobody looks too closely at anyone's face unless given a reason to, but in the morning, heads will certainly roll. You could make off with your own treasure from the palace with none the wiser, or you could stop one of the looters — maybe it's even a fellow refugee — and turn them in to the guard to help restore some order to this night of chaos.
In the depths of the treasury, there is a group trying to get past a sealed door. They're an unpleasant, volatile lot, and they make a lot of noise about how if they can just get their hands on the heart of the legendary dragon, they'll be able to wipe Wyver from the map once and for all and put someone competent on the throne. After multiple failed attempts, they start offering a reward of 50 silver to anyone who makes an attempt at opening the door.
ABOUT THE DOOR: The inner treasury door is enchanted to stand up to all manner of assaults, both magical and physical. Any attempts to dispel the enchantment will fail, but characters are welcome to make attempts in exchange for cash. While minor force will be harmlessly absorbed by the shields on the door, anything of great strength will be reflected back at its point of origin — so be ready to dodge!
Whether you help the Guard put out the fire, steal from the palace, try and get past the enchanted door, or make attempts to stop the looters, your actions may have consequences later. Please report any significant actions you take here.
NOTE: Characters are welcome to steal a single minor, setting-appropriate item from the palace. Mod approval is not required. Any items of greater import in the palace are locked in a vault and inaccessible.
BLOOD ON MY HANDS LIKE THE BLOOD IN YOU
FOR GLORY. Meanwhile, in Wyver, the holiday celebrating Nithor's death may have finished, but the spirit is still high. The citizens, eagerly awaiting the results of the contest from earlier in the month, congregate at a large stadium in the East End on the morning of the 21st and encourage refugees to join them — not only will the contest winner be announced, but there will be a series of physical trials to select Wyver's best and brightest.
This yearly event is considered the true end to the holiday. They honor those who excel at the arts — whether they be standard arts or the art of combat — and with these trials, they will honor those who excel on the battlefield. King Shanrian himself speaks to kick off the festivities, holding a distinctly human skull in his hands the entire time he's in view.
 Everyone, join me in praising the winners of our citywide contest! I was, heh... quite delighted with the meat jelly dish submitted by citizens Clair and Frederick. Such creativity! Meanwhile, dear Shenya loved hearing the beautiful music provided by Diva and Tani Umenosuke. And as you all well know, his vote is my vote.
Now I speak to you on a more serious note: I encourage all of you to join the legacy of those who helped bring down the mad and oppressive Nithor. I ask you all to join the trials. Show the world that we are a people of honor. For we do not seek glory, but fairness, liberty, and truth. Citizens, do you have what it takes to represent your home?
Signing up is simple. Interested parties are to submit their name at the registration desk, and by high noon, the festivities will kick off in full.
First up is a tournament — to thin the numbers down and ensure that only the best of the best make it to the end, participants are matched to a fight until one side is incapacitated. The air is thick with excitement, and bouts continue all day and through the night. Vendors have set up temporary stalls to sell food, toiletries, pillows, and blankets for those who don't wish to miss even a moment of the action.
If you're participating, you will take part in three fights before the finalists are determined; if you are not, you will be free to watch from the audience or, if you're acquainted with people who are fighting, to go behind the scenes to assist them by bringing them water or medicine between matches or even just give them moral support. Either way, you'll notice a slight shift in the air as time goes by.
Midway through the preliminary matches, the atmosphere changes from enthusiastic to outright bloodthirsty. Observers who were content to see a knock out will call for blood. People will start to clamor for the losers to lose their lives, and audience members will find themselves itching for a fight. One wrong look and the fighting might not just be constrained to the ring.
Make it through to the finals, and your trial will be more focused on teamwork: after all, the assassins who took down Nithor had to work together to get their job done. Finalists are paired off to face a variety of beasts, some from Wyver, some from Olympia, and some from other, far-flung parts of the isles. There is no set number of winners — anyone who performs well will be honored with a prize of silver at the end — but the beasts are ferocious, and it will take coordination and exceptional skill to make it out unscathed.
Either way, it's sure to be a spectacle.
HEARTY DIETS. The city's atmosphere does not become peaceful with the conclusion of the trials. Wherever you turn, the people around you seem to be more combative than usual - and in this city, that can be quite the feat.
To mark the end of another successful set of trials, the shamans of the Altar of Volkkra make dragon's blood, which they partake in for one of their rituals, more widely available to the public. Most drink it straight, although there are some who take it mixed in with other drinks. Either way, the effects are the same:
Drinking dragon's blood will feel like drinking liquid fire. It will burn the entirety of its way down and leave you with a presence in your chest that you will carry with you for three days before wearing off. It is a warmth that seems to imbue you with the strength and confidence of the dead dragon. The adrenaline will minimize any great pains, and you will have the sense that the path you choose is right.
Unfortunately, there is a downside. The dragon blood will keep you restless until the effects wear off. Confidence will turn into mindless arrogance. If you and your companion both drink the blood, you will butt heads because you will believe the other is wrong. Additionally, you may experience the need to hoard. The shamans say it is a trial you must endure to learn not to overindulge, but to someone who has never drank before, the feeling will be overwhelming.
Dragon's blood isn't the only variety to partake in. This time of year, the blood of a variety of monsters can be found to drink; it's said that consuming a creature's blood will imbue you with that creature's power. Whether this is true or not remains to be seen — some insist it's a rumor, while others swear its veracity — but fueled by the confidence the dragon's blood has drawn out of them, the natives are very insistent that you try it out, and some may even challenge you to a blood-drinking contest.
There are some who say that they've managed to procure the blood of Olympians, and that ingesting it will sap the strength of the Olympian people and bestow it upon Wyver instead. Some Wyvern natives aren't willing to allow the blood of their most hated enemies past their lips and would instead use Olympian blood to paint out scenes of their destruction, either on the walls like the murals or on charms from the Altar of Volkkra, as it is said to have the same effect. If you're offered some of this "paint," it's probably better to accept. After all, refusal would be very un-Wyvernlike, and you wouldn't want to be marked as the next target for someone hoping to procure Olympian blood, would you?
FANNING FLAMES. Since the trials, natives have lit bonfires throughout the city as a way of showing support for their favorite contenders; the belief is that as long as the flames continue to be fed, the contender will continue to fight well. Even now that the trials are over, the flames burn bright. These contenders are Wyver's hope of victory over Olympia, after all; isn't it better to keep the fires ablaze until they've brought the Olympians to their knees?
But it isn't just wood that they're using for kindling. This time they want a more personal offering. Many of the natives will shed their own blood to throw into the fire, and still more roam the streets in search of people to feed to the flames. You might find yourself one of their targets if you've been too noticeably traveling between the cities on a regular basis, or if you've made the mistake of donning the Olympian colors of white and gold even in a subtle way. Perhaps you come off as a loyal citizen of Wyver, and they've tapped you to assist them with feeding a person to the flames — If you refuse, you might face scrutiny yourself.
Chaos is on the rise. It's a bastardization of celebration that has long since gotten out of hand, although few seem inclined to try and contain it. Those who do are mainly shouted down or silenced by other means, and if you're looking to assist them in quelling the unrest, you'll have to be subtle lest you wind up facing the citizens' ire.
Luckily, there is something to provide a distraction: a gigantic vulture-like creature, much larger than the birds from Murkwell Hollow, has come to hunt . When it descends, it makes to grab anyone with its talons, with one exception — if anyone who killed a vulture in Murkwell is nearby, it will ignore the others and focus its attempts on tearing them apart with a relentless, single-minded determination. If not driven off, the dead and the injured will become its next meal, and it has no qualms about diving into the flames to snatch up bodies, as it's unharmed by fire. It can be driven off with high difficulty using weapons, magical abilities (other than fire), and the terrain to your advantage, but will retreat before it can be killed so that it can regroup and make another attempt at snatching up bodies later.
As it retreats it will drop feathers that can be sold to the Altar of Volkkra for experimentation for 100 silver; one feather per character, please. Sales can be reported here.
BEASTLY EXHIBITS.The shamans of Volkkra, perhaps under the influence of dragon's blood, have their own way of dealing with the unrest. Throughout the week, those protesting the chaos start to vanish, and either from rumors or direct observation it will soon become obvious why: they're being brought to the main Altar of Volkkra, all the way up on Namarak Summit. If you have been attempting to calm people down, you might just find yourselves taken; otherwise, you can tail the shamans to the summit to find what's going on for yourself.
Those taken to the main altar are blindfolded and thrust into the labyrinthine halls without a flame to guide their way. Shamans guard the entrances and exits; inside, all light but that of the Eternal Flame have been extinguished. Other shamans, who take part in the rumored experiments, roam the halls with wicked-looking knives in search of new test subjects. If they come across you, you'll need to either fight or run.
It is possible to escape this, either by overpowering them or by using your wits. It's even possible to find your way to the entrance and fight your way past the shamans guarding it — but the when the first person sets foot out of the halls, the shamans call for backup. Menacing shrieks and roars sound from inside the mazelike halls, and strange, mishmashed creatures emerge from the darkness.
They're angry, and they're willing to lash out at both refugee and shaman alike.
ABOUT THE MONSTERS: They are amalgamations of people and creatures from all over the isles, and each one is different. One might have the head of a Duldrum, the torso and arms of a man, and the lower half of a Glowing Snake; another might look like a Wispurr with a second head of an Unlucky Cat grafted onto it, and the abilities to match. The shamans seem to have been mixing and matching the features and abilities of both named and unnamed creatures as they see fit, and they've whipped them up into a frenzy — these chimeras crave blood, and will not stop until their targets are dead, or they are.
They can be killed with medium difficulty using your own weapons, supplies from the Altar, and any abilities you might possess; survive, and the shamans will let you go with 200 silver as compensation, having decided that you've proven your worth and that your strength may be an asset to Wyver in the future. If your character successfully kills a chimera, please report it here.
An AC-eligible thread in which your character complies with their faction's goals for 1 REP POINT FOR EITHER OLYMPIA OR WYVER may be submitted from this log. SUBMIT THE THREAD FOR OLYMPIA OR WYVER HERE OR HERE RESPECTIVELY BY MARCH 14th 11:59 PM EST.
We will no longer be providing overflow posts. In an event where the post hits CAPTCHA, players are advised to move threads to an overflow post on their character journals or create their own catch-all post. These threads remain eligible for AC, AC Rewards, and REP.
1 SILVER = 1 US DOLLAR.
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no subject
[So he's not going anywhere. Besides, whatever that reaction of Dylas' was supposed to be, it was not an answer. Atsushi wouldn't normally be this suspicious, but between the adrenaline and the traces of mist, he can't dismiss the desire to know.]
What's in that bag?
[Atsushi isn't injured at all, though there may be blood from both old injuries and from other people; the tiger always heals fast, and Atsushi can heal light injuries these days - which is something he does plan to try on those looters he beat up... eventually. Not while they may come to and attack, of course.]
no subject
Come on. That wasn't a request. You look like you've been here long enough.
[His gaze falls down to his bag. With his left hand, he reaches for it and pulls it open just a bit. It's no problem for him to reveal what he's carried with him through the palace, but then a realization hits him. His ears shoot up straight and he lets go of the edge of the bag, moving his hand away from it.]
Hey! Why are you asking?
[is that an accusation, Stripes]
no subject
[It's said very calmly, but Atsushi's currently yellow eyes are focused relentlessly on Dylas all the same. Was it an order, then? Is he supposed to obey?
This is wrong. Something about it is wrong, and Atsushi knows it. But he still thinks he deserves answers.
His original question wasn't an accusation as such - it would be weird (though not impossible) to take loot into the treasury! - but with the lack of answer, Atsushi still gets irritated, and with that, his suspicion grows.]
Why are you not telling?
no subject
What's in my bag has nothing to do with you.
[He doesn't want to explain it more than that, mostly because he's...disturbed. Dylas loves a good fight more than the next guy, for sure, but it almost feels like Atsushi is standing here, relishing in beating the shit out of people and leaving them to bleed against the wall.]
I'm taking over this room. Go pick another one, Atsushi. Preferably a bathroom with a cold shower. We'll talk later when you don't look like you're about to freak out on me.
no subject
Dylas is a friend, but that doesn't mean that he gets to order Atsushi around. Actually, shouldn't the fact that they are friends mean that Dylas shouldn't order Atsushi around?! Regardless, Atsushi wants answers, now.
Freaking out may not be the right word for it, but Atsushi snaps all the same. Enough of this! He doesn't have to take this - and he wants to know what's in that bag already! With no further warning, he launches himself at Dylas, aiming to slash through the bag with his claws, rather than going through the trouble of taking it from Dylas.]
no subject
[There's a lot of things he could have done differently. In the future, regardless of the outcome, he's going to beat himself up over this. But he doesn't know how to explain himself here, is too alarmed by Atsushi's general mood to do anything of the sort.
If only he tried a little harder.
He quickly backs away, shoving the bag behind his back, but things don't go well for him in the least. In his hurry to jump aside or put distance between them, he trips over his own leg and lands on his ass hard, grunting as Atsushi nears him. He instinctively shoves the bag behind him and presses his back lower instead of sitting up more, protecting it, as he lifts his other hand to protect himself, one eye wincing and expecting an attack.]
no subject
Except that he sees Dylas cower and wince, and that gives Atsushi the harshest shock of realization he's had in a while. Yes, he wants to know what's in the bag, and yes, he thinks he deserves answers. But this isn't how he wants to get them. This isn't the kind of person he wants to be. In his head, the shadow of the headmaster looms over him, impossibly big and darkening everything.
With a sharp inhale, Atsushi lets go of Dylas as if stung, though he doesn't back away just yet. He doesn't transform back to something more human, either; humans are some of the most violent beasts of all, anyway.]
no subject
When the blow doesn't come and Atsushi's hand lets go of him, Dylas lowers his arm. There are still too many questions. Is Atsushi losing his mind somehow? He can relate, sadly, he remembers in his nightmares what it's like to be a monster without sapience.
And what do you do to monsters? The only way to lure monsters into a monster barn is to...]
Dammit. Don't move, okay? [That's probably a weird thing to say, but he takes the arm he'd used to protect his upper body and reaches out to pet Atsushi's face instead. Then, he realizes what a bad idea that is and lets his hand hang in front of him.] Take a deep breath. [But Dylas' voice is just a little shaky with concern or fear. Or both.]
no subject
Atsushi really isn't losing his mind - but that's the problem. He has no excuse for what he did, beyond his own feelings taken to extremes. And the worst thing is that, while he's managed to keep from attacking Dylas even worse, those feelings haven't entirely left.]
Please... Can I please see what's in the bag?
[He can't - won't - make Dylas, but seeing is likely the only thing that will let him step away.]
no subject
I don't know what's going on in this room. Or who those people are.
[He shifts, reaching behind him to get the bag...no. He places his hand on Atsushi's shoulder first, telling him to stay where he is, before reaching behind himself with the other arm. It takes a little gymnastics considering he's propped up on his elbow right now, but he drops the bag on his torso. This close up? Atsushi should be able to smell healing herbs, gauze, medicine...hear the tinkling of glass and something rattling around like it has pills inside.
It's full of medical supplies he's pilfered from the Sanctuary.]
I stole these from work. I was going to clean them up. I thought...you would be in trouble if I didn't.
[Maybe he could have communicated it better. But seeing Atsushi like that, ordering him out of the room had seemed like the quickest way to start working and give his roommate a head start somewhere else. He doesn't even know Atsushi can heal people now, he was just scared his closest friend was going to accidentally leave some people for dead.
His grip on Atsushi's shoulder remains firm. He'd rather lay here on the ground than be anywhere else, if only to get Atsushi to stop looking at him like that.]
no subject
They were trying to steal from the Empress!
[That's who the people are: just looters, and Atsushi the self-proclaimed guard tiger of the moment. No one else had been around to protect the treasury, so he'd done it - and done a pretty good job, too. He doesn't see how he could get in trouble for that.
Except that, when his yellow gaze drifts to the looters, he can only admit that... he hadn't exactly been careful. Even now, he's not sure he feels guilty: they were trying to steal, and that is just not right.
But... neither would leaving them this way be.]
... If we tie them up, I can heal them. For the most part.
[The latter part of that sentence is tagged on a little too casually. Blame the mist.]
no subject
[He's sure Atsushi doesn't mean to kill anyone? But he's also a tiger? His head is spinning a little. One second, he's trying to get Atsushi out so he can cover up his crimes or prevent them from being...finalized.]
I'm not saying you shouldn't have beaten the shit out of them. I've just...never seen you like this, Atsushi. I have no idea what's going on here.
no subject
[It's not a lie, but something about the latter statement still leaves him with a nasty aftertaste in his mouth, nagging ghosts of memories of an incident from long ago that has long since been safely buried in oblivion.]
... I was just trying to do the right thing.
[Was he really wrong? He doesn't think so - but at the same time, looking at the injured looters doesn't exactly make him happy.
Did he really go too far? But then... not doing anything wasn't an option either, was it?]
no subject
[Is it too late to reach out and touch him? He attempts to, slowly. This is certainly a night of revelations he didn't expect to discover. Firstly, Atsushi said something about healing? And now he's aware of how terrifying this tiger side is, and...
...and he learned he's totally willing to cover up bodies for his friend. That's a lot to unpack.]
You did the right thing. But I was scared...that if you hurt someone too badly, you wouldn't forgive yourself. That's why I wanted you out.
[It's a bit of a messy explanation, but maybe Atsushi comes to expect that from Dylas? He hopes so. His first thought on seeing the room was that Atsushi was doing something he'd regret. And he wanted to protect him from that. Dylas' ears droop as he looks away.]
I should've said something.
no subject
Closing his eyes, he leans into the touch, and lets out a long sigh. Something is still off - irritable, inside his head - but he thinks he can control it. Besides... maybe Dylas didn't go about things in the smartest possible way, but he really tried to do something nice for Atsushi - and, moreover: something that Atsushi wants and needs, if not right now. It feels good to have someone looking after him like that.
Finally, Atsushi transforms back into something fully human-looking. It doesn't make that irritability in his head disappear, but it feels safer all the same.]
... Thank you. I really appreciate it.
[Maybe it would have been smarter if Dylas had said something, sure, but there's no point in lingering on that now. Besides, it's the thought that counts.]
no subject
He pets Atsushi's face for as long as he's allowed to or until he reverts back to human, whichever comes first. It's the first time he's ever 'felt' Atsushi's tiger forms, and he can't deny he's a bit curious, even if their current positioning is a little...awkward. At least he's not in any danger of having a repeat of the first time petting between them happened.
He slowly withdraws his hand and then exhales a huff, a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding in.]
So that's what your fur feels like. [It comes out before he can even realize what he's saying. Of course, he has to go and make it awkward. He kicks himself in his head.] I mean, uh. Nothing. Wait, did you say you can heal them?
no subject
Right, the healing...]
Yes... I can heal people a little now. Though I don't know if there's a limit to how many I can do at a time.
[He knows he can't
yetheal serious injuries, but he can patch people up at least a little. Maybe it doesn't make up for what he did, but considering the people he beat up are looters, he thinks it's enough.]no subject
So the Orbiters are doing weird things to your body, too. I told you it was bad luck to hang out with me.
[He exhales a sigh. For once, Dylas doesn't sound like he means it. His heart is still pounding in his chest from that stressful situation, but it's alright. It's alright.
...Except Atsushi is still on top of him. Dylas starts to sit up, but he worries for a brief second that Atsushi is going to think he's being dismissive, so he quickly pulls the tiger in for a rough hug.]
no subject
He smiles, a little awkward even if Dylas' tone is lighter than his words.]
I really don't think that has anything to do with -...
[HUG ATTACK! Atsushi is just surprised at first, almost shocked - he really didn't see that coming! - but when he realizes what's happening, he responds by hugging back tightly. Something something gift horse.]
... Thank you, really.
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[He's sure Atsushi noticed the barricade at some point or another. He wonders: did Atsushi try to call him only to hear Dylas' phone ringing because he left it behind in their house? He isn't sure. It's been days.
But there's an important moral here as he hugs back, something he hopes will stick with Atsushi.]
No matter what you do...if you need me, I'll help you.
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[Such simple, over-used words, but Atsushi means them sincerely.]
You too, okay? [Atsushi will do almost anything for Dylas, he means.] Don't be too stubborn to ask if you need help. Promise.
[Finally relaxing his grip, Atsushi pulls back a little to look Dylas in the eyes. He can take a lot of stubbornness and idiosyncrasies from Dylas, and that's fine, but if Dylas is ever really in trouble? Atsushi wants to know.]